Tips For Making Candles Burn Longer

How a candle is burned can directly impact how long it will last. By burning candles safely and efficiently, it is possible to extend their total burning time for significant periods. Check out these tips for making candles burn longer.

• THE FIRST BURN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT - the candle wax must pool to the edge on the initial burn. The way your candle perform for its entire life all depends on that very first burn. Wax has memory, meaning that if your candle doesn't burn to the edges, it will begin to tunnel and won't burn evenly the next time. 

• TRIM WICKS REGULARLY - Trimming the wick is one of the most effective ways to lengthen a candle's life. The wick should be no more than 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch long and should be trimmed each time before the candle is lit. Longer wicks will smoke, shed debris, and may not provide a steady oxygen flow to the flame which can lead to excessive flickering and uneven heating. Burning for more than four hours can cause the wick to form a mushroom, or carbon deposit, on the tip and the more carbon, the more soot and smoke.

• LIMIT BURN TIME - To burn a candle most efficiently, it should be burned until the pool of melted wax covers the top of the candle. For most candles, this can be achieved with burn times of 2 - 4 hours, though smaller candles may melt much more quickly. In the perfect scenario, allow the wax pool to reach the edge before blowing it out. Burn your candle at most only once every 24 hours to prolong the life of that candle.

• LIMIT DRAFTS - Candles should not be burned near draft windows, fans, or vents. Drafts will cause the flame to flicker, which results in uneven heating and melting  rather than a smooth even melt pool.